My Italy

The launch of the Columbus is good news for Spain, but of course it is not for some countries. As a result, four ships from the Philadelphia Navy Yard, the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, and the New York Navy Yard speeded up their construction.

However, this is a matter between the United States and Spain, and Italy is still on the sidelines.

But on the other side, Italy can no longer sit back and watch.

"King Carlo, thank you for your country's continued support on the Sudan issue. I hope that our two countries will get better and better in the future."

In front of Carlo, the British Ambassador Sir Mandyson said words of thanks.

"Ambassador Mandison is too polite. Regarding the Sudanese rebels, our country has always had the same attitude as your country, threatening their development and growth. For example, our country's affiliated country Abyssinia has been at war with the Sudanese rebels for dozens of years. This time, the number of soldiers increased from several thousand to more than 100,000, which effectively curbed the size of the Sudanese rebels. Therefore, on the Sudan issue, your two countries are consistent."

Carlo didn't mean what he said, but he didn't dare to challenge the British Empire on the Sudan issue.

Yes, the British could no longer tolerate the loss of Sudan from their control. A new round of carving up Africa is underway, and all countries are gearing up to speed up their fight for Africa.

Sudan, which was freed from the control of the British Empire, was so dazzling. Not to mention that the 2C plan is in full swing. If you want to go from Cairo to Cape Town, it will not be possible without Sudan. Hence the British plan to reconquer Sudan. I have been preparing silently.

Since last year, the newly equipped British colonial army has been testing the waters. It exchanged fire with the Sudanese army in Dongola (a city in northern Sudan) and defeated 45,000 Sudanese troops with 6,000 troops. A great victory that the British also called He measured the quality of the Sudanese army.

Now that it has been weighed, there is nothing to say next. The most important thing is to recapture Sudan as soon as possible. If you want to recapture Sudan, its neighbors must have some ideas. The Belgians who occupy the Congo River Basin in the southwest corner would not dare to have any ideas even if they lend him ten courages.

To the west is the French, who have just captured the Chad Basin. The French are not worried. The French colonial government, which has just captured the Chad Basin, does not have such a big appetite to focus on Sudan. According to the British's own estimation, an army of less than 10,000 people could not conquer Sudan at all. Not to mention that the French had to cross the desert, which was simply impossible.

To the east of Sudan, there are Italians who have been working here for many years. Although the border between the Italian colony and Sudan also had desert terrain, it was not conducive to military deployment.

However, Italy has a subsidiary kingdom of Abyssinia, which has been at war with the Sudanese around Lake Tana for many years, and its strength is not weak. Moreover, the Blue Nile originates from the Abyssinian Plateau, and there are rivers serving as transportation lines from high up. It can be said that apart from the United Kingdom, which occupies Egypt and Uganda, the only one that can threaten Sudan is Italy.

Yes, it was precisely because Italy was a possible contender for Sudan that Ambassador Mandison paid a visit, and also to avoid certain accidents.

Facing the visit of the British ambassador, Carlo certainly would not quarrel with Britain for the Sudan. Besides, if he really wanted to take over the Sudan, he would have done it long ago. It would be even more impossible to trick the British Empire now. He was not the Kaiser.

Mandison was very satisfied with Carlo's reply. The task given by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was completed very well this time. After staying in Italy for so many years, he had already figured out the king's temper and knew what he promised. There will be no twists and turns.

"Thank you for the summons, Your Majesty. I will inform London of your country's kindness."

"Goodbye, Ambassador Mandison."

After Ambassador Mandison left, Carlo called for an attendant. "Send for the Foreign Secretary."

"As you command, Your Majesty."

Half an hour later, Foreign Minister Bacona hurriedly appeared in front of Carlo.

"I have met His Majesty."

"Your Excellency Bacona, there is no need to be polite."

Carlo saw Bacona coming. "The British Ambassador Mandyson visited before and asked me about my attitude towards Sudan. I have already replied to him that our country will not interfere in Sudan."

Upon hearing Carlo's words, Bacona frowned. "Is the UK preparing to take back Sudan?"

"I think it's almost the same. Otherwise, why would Ambassador Mandison come here to visit?"

Carlo expressed his judgment, "What's wrong? Is there something unexpected?"

"It is true that King Menelik II of Abyssinia has a different idea, but I think it can be dissuaded."

"What's the specific situation?"

Facing the foreign minister's hesitant words, Carlo immediately felt that there must be something wrong with it.

Faced with Carlo's questioning, Bacona did not hide anything. "Okay, Your Majesty, the situation is like this..."

It was in Bacona's narration that Carlo felt the ambition of Menelik II. After Menelik II succeeded to the throne of Abyssinia, he used troops many times to weaken the feudal separatist forces. From 1887 to 1895, he successively suppressed the rebellions of feudal princes in Leka, Volamo, Sidamo, Ogaden and other places.

All this was for the purpose of centralizing power. Under this suppression, the rulers of each province and district were all appointed, which greatly strengthened the cohesion of the Abyssinian Kingdom.

In addition, Menelik also built a new capital in the middle of the Ethiopian plateau. Queen Taitu named it "Fresh Flowers", which is indeed the city of Addis Ababa.

In addition, Menelik minted national currency, printed stamps, formulated new domestic financial and postal systems, absorbed foreign investment to build roads and railways, and laid telegraph and telephone systems. Of course, capital from Italy accounts for an overwhelming share of this big move.

Now that the internal affairs have almost been repaired, how could Menelik, as a wise monarch, fail to see the weakness of his neighbors. In fact, he can see better than the British that the Sudanese people's spirit has been tortured. Even the annual match between the two countries on Lake Tana has become two years or even three or four years, and the distance is gradually getting farther and farther from the lakeside, reaching Famaka in the middle reaches of the Blue Nile.

Under such circumstances, Menelik II would be sorry for himself if he did not take the opportunity to expand. Of course, as a wise monarch, he certainly wanted to maximize his interests, so he planned to deal a harsh blow to the Sudanese, at least to tear off a large area of ​​territory, so that the Abyssinian nobles who followed him would also try Taste the benefits of expansion.

Of course, only by obtaining Italy's approval or acquiescence can you implement your ambitions, and Menelik II was also very clear about this. He approached an Italian bank early and borrowed a large amount of money at a high interest rate. In addition, these funds were basically used to purchase Italian materials. Menelik II, who had the support of the Bank of Italy and factory owners, found it difficult for the government to refuse, so it maintained its acquiescence.

"You are saying that Menelik II is already preparing to further seize Damazin in the lower reaches of the Blue Nile River and the Akobo Valley in the Nile Basin?"

In response to Carlo's question, Bacona replied. "Yes, Your Majesty, Menelik II has been preparing for this for three years. He has also invested 10 million lire in improving the roads. As for the material reserves, there are even more."

Well, it seems that Menelik II has invested a lot of money. In this case, it is unwise to stop the opponent's preparations.

In this case, it’s okay to think about it from another angle.

"We need to discuss this matter with the British and inform them that in order to maintain the relationship between the two countries, we plan to ask the client country Abyssinia to send a large army to help them. Then it is best to target Menelik II , talk to the British in exchange for assisting in sending troops.”

Facing Carlo's thoughts, Bacona thought about it carefully. "Your Majesty, this is a good idea, it is very beneficial to our country."

"One more thing, tell that Menelik II that expansion needs to be moderate, otherwise problems will easily occur."

Yes, Carlo still has to give a little warning to the ambitious Menelik II, not to let him eat too much.